本文說明大西洋史研究的史學發展，並初步考察其生態研究的成果。本文目的在於引介大西洋史的研究取徑以為區域研究的參考，也同時說明大西洋史研究成果以突破國別史教學及國別史研究途徑。本文除前言結論之外，共分三部份，除了說明大西洋史研究自政治話語轉為史學研究對象之外，也明白闡釋史學界如何透過史學計劃與會議、出版圖籍以及學界的著力，讓大西洋史的研究最終取得史學副學科的地位。其中，史學內部自身的轉向，也扮演重要的推力。本文透過引介大西洋史研究成果，以及近來美國學界對於大西洋史研究方向的批評與建議，以提供區域研究的可能方向。其中，對於生態研究成果的初步考察，明確意指其可為區域研究的新方向。

To explain the historiography of Atlantic history and its achievement in ecological research is the intention of the article. The intention points to three purposes. As a reference for researching area studies, the research approach to Atlantic history offers a variety of directions. And as a historical teaching perspective, the Atlantic history could beyond the nation-direction and nation-boundary. Last, ecological exchange has been enduring around the Atlantic (means Europe, Africa and America) since 1492. Due to the reality, the ecological research in Atlantic history is not just appropriate but also a possible direction for
researching other area studies. The three purposes would master the narration of the article.